My thoughts on shoulder rigs, your thoughts?

My thoughts... I base my camera setups on an Arri style Baseplate, which has standard Arri style dovetail sliders. It would be nice to have a shoulder pad with a dovetail topside rather than a 15mm rail mount.
I have found that most rail mount pads moves the camera too far forward so you are supporting it with your arms to keep it steady rather than your shoulder doing the work.
 
Naso Cam Handheld.jpg
Don't let this be you.
Last week from tripod to a few quick handheld shots. It wasn't for a long time so it was fine but I hate shooting in this position and I do it often.
 
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Olof, I love this design. Especially the EVF mount, which is currently the weak point of my rig. I'm often switching from shoulder, to waist when I'm handheld, and articulating the evf is impossible. Your rig looks like it would do the trick!
 
Hi Olof, I have your wooden handle that is great and fully recommend and a Zacauto EVF mounted upside down from a Noga arm from the top handgrip. I have the EVF a long way forward of your position for the EVF mount so that I can try to balance the camera weight on my shoulder without having to have extra weight out the back. (I like the camera to be as light as possible) I like your design but would suggest trying to have the EVF mount adjustable so you can have it further forward maybe level with the front lens element of your diagram. cheers
 
Looks great Olof, good luck with your progress - external evf is the only way to get a balanced camera - am chomping at the bit to find a solution for comfortable hand held, was ready to concoct something similar from shoot35 & berkey parts but can maybe hold off a month or 2 - I know its early days but any idea at all, however vague on cost & availability time...... apologies for the impatience, just need to get something together soonish
 
I dont like the way the camera is out in front of you. For me it doesn't fix the balance issue. Putting a pole in your stomach also not good.
 
editman said:
View attachment 41565

I've already put something together with the camera above my shoulder. Just mount an EVF on the front cross rod and you have a good rig for handheld shoots.
Click to expand...

I followed the instructions on your blog post, and built something similar. But once I go from over the shoulder back to the tripod, the whole rig is way to back heavy for my Sachtler DV6 Tripod. Suggestions?
 
Pegasus said:
Simplicity rules. It's perfectly balanced and can be disassembled in seconds for mounting on a tripod.

View attachment 41863View attachment 41864


_____________________

Ric Shellhammer
Pegasus Productions
www.pegasusproductions.tv
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Not perfectly balanced in the ENG camera sense that if you take your hand off the front handle, the unit should stay balanced on your shoulder and not tip either forward or back. The rig shown requires continuous support at the front and would go crashing forward quickly to the ground if released. It's useful enough for grabbing the occasional handheld shot but not for all-day wear when doing event coverage.

Unbalanced rig = force required to stabilize it = muscle tension = shakiness at the end of the day.

- Greg
 
Jon Furtado said:
I followed the instructions on your blog post, and built something similar. But once I go from over the shoulder back to the tripod, the whole rig is way to back heavy for my Sachtler DV6 Tripod. Suggestions?
Click to expand...

I solved the balance issue on my DV6SB the direct but expensive way, by buying the Sachtler "COG plate" that is an extended camera wedge plate to move the mounting point backwards. It's a nicely machined piece of aluminum, but gee whiz, it costs $209! The balance plate that slides only rearward is my main complaint about that line of Sachtlers. I note that the new FSB series has been redesigned in that area.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/233203-REG/Sachtler_1465_C_O_G_Plate_DV_Center.html

- Greg
 
I might want to get the Zacuto EVF. supposedly it's the best on the market. But I know the SHAPE COMPOSITE STABILIZER is made for a DSLR at first. But Preston Kanak uses on both AF100 and 5DMARK II.
I know SHAPE offers too a Composite F3.
it's Philip Bloom assistant, it's why I was pretty interested about SHAPE.

SHAPE COMPOSITE F3 & STABILIZER
http://www.shapewlb.com/en/shape-pr...l&product_id=41&category_id=9#product-details
http://www.shapewlb.com/en/shape-pr...page=n_estore.tpl&product_id=97&category_id=9

PRESTON KANAK web site
http://3minuteshorts.ca/
 
Charles2009 said:
I might want to get the Zacuto EVF. supposedly it's the best on the market. But I know the SHAPE COMPOSITE STABILIZER is made for a DSLR at first. But Preston Kanak uses on both AF100 and 5DMARK II.
I know SHAPE offers too a Composite F3.
it's Philip Bloom assistant, it's why I was pretty interested about SHAPE.

SHAPE COMPOSITE F3 & STABILIZER
http://www.shapewlb.com/en/shape-pr...l&product_id=41&category_id=9#product-details
http://www.shapewlb.com/en/shape-pr...page=n_estore.tpl&product_id=97&category_id=9

PRESTON KANAK web site
http://3minuteshorts.ca/
Click to expand...
I dont like having the camera up front like this system does. I can already do that without spending 1K on another system. I believe the goal is to get these cameras as close as possible to a ENG camera style on the shoulder. Centered and balanced would be much better.
 
I would buy one Olof. I was trying to design a similar product, but work and time got away from me. I'd rather just buy it than make it. I had some ideas for a custom top handle with a telescoping 15mm rod to attach a EVF as well.
 
Greg Smith said:
I solved the balance issue on my DV6SB the direct but expensive way, by buying the Sachtler "COG plate" that is an extended camera wedge plate to move the mounting point backwards. It's a nicely machined piece of aluminum, but gee whiz, it costs $209! The balance plate that slides only rearward is my main complaint about that line of Sachtlers. I note that the new FSB series has been redesigned in that area.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/233203-REG/Sachtler_1465_C_O_G_Plate_DV_Center.html

- Greg
Click to expand...

I'm having trouble visualizing your solution here. Could you post a pic of it? Our problem is pretty unique to AF100+DV6 users!
 
Here are some photos of current adjustable shoulder design.

SBP1.jpgSBP2.jpgSBP3.jpg

I am still working out the details and making it comfortable.

I will have more photos soon. I am very busy so I work on this between other jobs. But I feel I have the basic design down. The shoulder pad of cherry and foam is adjustable back and forth. The EVF will move in all 3 planes, and accommodate any EVF.

I will be using a VCT-14 style wedge (like the old betacams) underneath the U-shaped aluminum block to mount to the liquid head. This allows for the pad to be unobstructed and at the same time the center of gravity will be in the center of the head. This will fit fine on any head. I use the Canon TA-100 shorter lighter version.

There will also be an additional plate in the back for large battery receivers etc.
 
OMG. People. Stop buying parts. Olof this looks amazing!!!!!!
I want to be your beta tester please!
Seriously you are right on target. Keeping the proven ENG design is brilliant. I use a Sony quick release plate now with a Genus adapter and its great. The Canon one is also nice. I had that one as well but my tripod got ripped off. Grrrr.
The rail coming out of the base keeps the horizon flat. Good idea. Nice work so far Olof.
 
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